McClure was partially based on B movie actors Troy Donahue and Doug McClure as well as Hartman himself. Following Hartman’s death on May 28, 1998, the character was retired, making his final appearance in the tenth season in “Bart the Mother“. McClure is often cited as one of the series’ most popular characters; in 2006 IGN ranked him first on their list of the “Top 25 Simpsons Peripheral Characters”.